The Stritch community gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of Sister Camille Kliebhan, OSF, Ph.D., Stritch’s president from 1974 to 1991 and current chancellor, for several events April 4 and 7.

Sister Camille joined Stritch in 1955. During her tenure as president, she introduced programs that became the Ruth S. Coleman College of Nursing and in 1982 she began the first-ever accelerated business degree programs for working adults to be offered in the Milwaukee area.

At age 90, Sister Camille continues to contribute to the Stritch community, coming to work each day as the university’s chancellor.

Mark Gesner, chair of community engaged learning and leadership in the College of Business and Management, moderated the panel “Linking Civic Engagement and Social Entrepreneurship” at the Wisconsin Campus Compact’s 10th Anniversary Civic Engagement Institute in Madison in March.

Dr. Eun-Joo Kwak, associate professor of piano, judged the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association Madison District Piano Auditions on Sunday, March 24. The auditions took place at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Morphy Concert Hall. On Jan. 19, Dr. Kwak also judged the Racine/Kenosha Music Teachers Association Senior Division Piano Competition, held at Carthage College Recital Hall.

David Riordan, assistant professor in the English department, was listed among the authors of “Notable Nonrequired Reading” in The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2012, an annual anthology of American writing edited by Dave Eggers and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

For the most recent achievements of Stritch faculty and staff, click here.

Annual Fund News

University launches Santa Chiara Scholarship Fund

In honor of Sister Camille Kliebhan and the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, the Santa Chiara Fund -- a need-based annual scholarship fund -- has been established to help students “approve the better things” as they discover their purpose in life. Santa Chiara is Saint Clare in Italian.

Click here to make a contribution to the Santa Chiara Fund in Sister Camille's honor.

For more information on this new scholarship fund, please contact Dr. Rob Buckla, vice president for University Advancement, at rbuckla@stritch.edu.

Athletics News

Save the Date: Third annual Wolfpack Open set for June 2

The Stritch Athletics Department will host the third annual Wolf Pack Open on Sunday, June 2. The event is presented by Total Cleaning Systems.

This year's outing will again take place at Ironwood Golf Course in Sussex. Last year's golf outing saw more than 140 golfers enjoy 18 holes of golf, a complimentary dinner, and several raffles and contests throughout the day.

The 2013 men’s soccer alumni reunion is being planned for Saturday, July 13. Activities will include an alumni game and barbeque picnic. More details to be announced soon!

New sports teams prepare for fall launch

As Stritch welcomes eight new sports teams beginning in the 2013-14 school year, preparations are already well underway to develop the teams and support the athletes.

Click here to meet the four head coaches who will lead approximately 110 new student athletes.

Alumni News

Don't miss the 2013 Alumni Awards event!

The not-to-miss signature alumni event of the year - there is still room for you to join us in celebrating alumni excellence at the 2013 Alumni Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 24. The evening will highlight our distinguished 2013 alumni award recipients.

The event, held in the Sister Camille Kliebhan Conference Center in Bonaventure Hall, will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $30 per person.

Please contact the Alumni Association office at (414) 410-4939 or alumni@stritch.edu to make your reservation by April 19. Reservations can also be made online here.

Commencement Volunteers needed

The Alumni Association is looking for alumni to help volunteer for the upcoming Spring Commencement weekend, May 18-19. Volunteers are needed to assist with the following Commencement activities:

Sunday, May 19 - Graduate ceremony (11 a.m.) and undergraduate ceremony (3 p.m.) taking place at the Delta Center, downtown Milwaukee. Volunteers will help serve as ushers, greeters, and assist with set-up/take-down. Volunteer shifts begin two hours prior to the start of the ceremony.

If you are interested in volunteering for Spring Commencement or would like further details, please contact Joel Cencius, ’06, director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at (414) 410-4203 or alumni@stritch.edu.

Save the Date: 2013 Jubilarian Reunion to take place June 28-30

Calling all members of the class of 1963! Join members of Stritch's Jubilarian Society (classes 1937-1962) for the annual Jubilarian Reunion to take place June 28-30. The class of 1963 will officially be inducted into the Jubilarian Society in celebration of their 50th class reunion.

Festivities will include a special behind-the-scenes tour and visit to the original St. Clare College campus, an afternoon tea in Stritch's beautiful art gallery, and a special Mass and reception hosted by University President Dr. James P. Loftus and his wife Irene at their home in Mequon.

If you are interested in attending this year’s reunion, contact the Alumni Association office at (414) 410-4939 or alumni@stritch.edu to learn more and to receive the official event invitation.

Submit your class note and win!

Help us fill our class notes section for the e-News and the Stritch Magazine! We recently refreshed our class notes section to now include photos and are looking for you to help us liven up this popular feature. Land a new job? Receive a promotion? Did you marry or have a baby? Vacation with fellow Stritch alumni? Share your experiences with us!

We are giving away a $25 Stritch Bookstore gift card (to be used in person or online)! We will randomly select a winner from all submissions for the upcoming summer issue.

Stritch Stories

Stritch Students dance with Wolves in Branson by Buddy Herberg, '13

(Pictured above: The Stritch Fan Zone does the 'roller coaster' at the Championship Game)

On Monday night, March 11, Stritch students gathered in both the Union and Great Hall on campus to watch the Men’s basketball team compete in the semi-final round of the NAIA Division II National Tournament. It was around 9 p.m. when the excitement level started to rise. The Wolves had a double digit lead with only a minute left.

The text message sent out by baseball coach Michael Zolecki to his players in the winding seconds of the game preceded an unforgettable event for both the students involved and for the school’s mark on history.

In an era when few women ventured into the workforce, Stritch alumna Margo (Walther) Frey, ’63, was well ahead of her time. Growing up in Fort Atkinson, Wis., Frey always harbored aspirations to have her own career.

“My mother was a teacher in my hometown and was a huge influence on me,” Frey said. “She guided my early ambitions of being independent, always stressing the importance of having my own career.”

Frey followed in her mother’s footsteps, pursuing a college degree that would allow her to teach. That led Frey to then-named Cardinal Stritch College, where she graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French. Frey was in the first group of women to graduate from Stritch’s "new" North Shore campus.